Latham-based NY National Guard helicopter unit holds deployment ceremony today, Thursday, June 9

LATHAM, NY (06/09/2022) (readMedia)-- One hundred Soldiers assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation Regiment will officially say goodbye to their families as they depart New York for deployment to Kuwait, today, Thursday, June 9 during a ceremony at Army Aviation Facility # 2 in Latham, New York.

Members of the press are invited to cover the farewell ceremony and the departure of 11 UH-60 M Black Hawk helicopters for Fort Hood, Texas after the ceremony at 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. These times are approximate and can vary based on weather conditions.

WHO: Soldiers assigned to Alpha Company and Delta Company, 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation Regiment and Major General Michel Natali, the Assistant Adjutant General, Army for the New York National Guard.

WHAT: A formal send-off ceremony for Soldiers in the New York Army National Guard's Assault Helicopter Battalion as they prepare to depart for post-mobilization training at Fort Hood, Texas.

Half the helicopters with aircrew on board will depart on the four-day flight to Fort Hood at about 1:30 p.m. Another flight will leave around 2:30 p.m. The flight schedules are weather dependent and could be shifted to Friday.

Non-aircrew members will fly commercially on June 10.

The battalion's Headquarters Company, Bravo and Echo companies are holding a farewell ceremony at the same time in Ronkonkoma, New York on Long Island.

A total of 250 Soldiers are part of the deployment.

WHEN: 11 a.m. Thursday, June 9, 2022. First helicopter flight departs at approximately 1:30 .m.

WHERE: 330 Old Niskayuna Road, Latham, New York

Coverage Opportunities:

Video of the send off ceremony and interviews with troops, families and leaders. Reporters can return later to obtain video of the aircraft leaving the flight facility.

Reporters must call the Division of Military and Naval Affairs Public Affairs Office for access to this secure military facility at 518-786-4581.

BACKGROUND.

The 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation is an assault helicopter battalion which flies the UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter. The Soldiers train to move military personnel and equipment around a battlefield or perform administrative aviation support.

The UH-60M is the latest version of the Black Hawk helicopter which has been in service since the early 1980s. The UH-60M has a digital cockpit and upgraded systems. The aircraft has a crew of four and can carry ten Soldiers and their equipment.

The aircraft flown to Fort Hood, Texas will be waterproofed and loaded on board ships heading to Kuwait. The Soldiers will train with different aircraft at Fort Hood.

The battalion will be in Kuwait and the Middle East for about 10 months providing support to United States Central Command and operating in Kuwait and Iraq.

The 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation deployed to Iraq in 2008-1009 and to Kuwait and the Persian Gulf area in 2013-2014. The battalion also deployed aircraft and crews to Puerto Rico in the wake of a 2017 Hurricane to provide aid.

The battalion's aviators have been involved in New York State responses to Super Storm Sandy in 2012 and Hurricanes Irene and lee in 2011.

Aircrews assigned to the battalion are also called upon to conduct firefighting operations when the New York State Police aviation unit requires assistance.